October 20, 2026
Koalas, kids in tears and 1000 signatures: community demands pause on Tacking Point preschool These parents and students of Tacking Point PS are opposed to the preschool - mostly on environmental grounds. Photo: Matt Taylor
Community, School

Koalas, kids in tears and 1000 signatures: community demands pause on Tacking Point preschool

These parents and students of Tacking Point PS are opposed to the preschool – mostly on environmental grounds. Photo: Matt Taylor A koala in one of the trees at the Tacking Point school site last week. Photo: Matt Taylor. Another koala in the school grounds last week. Photo: Matt Taylor. One of the five koalas […]

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Careers advisor says HSC results do not define long term success Senior students at Heritage Christian College. Photo: HCC.
School

Careers advisor says HSC results do not define long term success

WITH Year 12 students having received their HSC results on Thursday 18 December, a local careers advisor said it’s an important time to remind students that final scores don’t determine long term success. Heritage Christian School Careers Advisor Liza Hone said results represent one step, not an end point. “Your result isn’t everything. “If you […]

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Addison Lunn takes out Young Women in Leadership Award
School

Addison Lunn takes out Young Women in Leadership Award

Addison Lunn. Addison Lunn and Charlotte Gillespie. ADDISON Lunn is the 2025 winner of the Zonta Club of Port Macquarie’s Young Women in Leadership Award. The year 12 student from Hastings Secondary College was presented with her award and $500 prize money at a recent dinner with club members. “Addi has shown leadership qualities from […]

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Applications now open for 2026 Youth Parliament Program Youth Parliament offers young people the opportunity to debate in NSW Parliament, create Youth Bills on issues for change, and have their voices and recommendations heard by Members of Parliament.
Community, School

Applications now open for 2026 Youth Parliament Program

THE Y NSW is calling for passionate young people from across the state to apply for the 2026 Youth Parliament program, now open to students in Years 10 to 12 across NSW. Operated for over 20 years by the Y NSW (formerly YMCA), Youth Parliament offers young people the opportunity to debate in NSW Parliament, […]

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Port Macquarie Adventist School welcomes first Year 12 students Ryley Hogan, Hayden Murray-Robinson, Sean McDonald, Asha Hogan and Malika Lavers. Photo: supplied.
School

Port Macquarie Adventist School welcomes first Year 12 students

PORT Macquarie Adventist School (PMAS) has reached a major milestone, welcoming its first Year 12 students. It marks the fulfilment of a long-held dream to offer a full education from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. For many in the school community, reaching Year 12 has been years in the making. More than 30 years after the […]

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Applications open for National Youth Parliament The program is designed to inspire greater civic participation among Year 10 students across Australia.
School

Applications open for National Youth Parliament

A NEW National Youth Parliament program has been launched, designed to inspire greater civic participation among Year 10 students across Australia. Students aged 16–17 are invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their federal electorate in an immersive five-day parliamentary experience in Canberra. One student from each of Australia’s 150 electorates will be […]

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Theatre Bites: HSC drama students from across the Mid North Coast to tread the boards at The Glasshouse A scene from a previous ‘Theatre Bites’ production. Photo: supplied.
Community, Entertainment, School

Theatre Bites: HSC drama students from across the Mid North Coast to tread the boards at The Glasshouse

DRAMA students from across the Mid North Coast will gather at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on Saturday 13 September to perform in “Theatre Bites”. The students have just completed their HSC performance exams. Markers representing NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) travelled to each school to assess performances. Some students chose to submit individual projects […]

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‘My First Speech’ competition launched in Australian high schools
School

‘My First Speech’ competition launched in Australian high schools

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, has launched the “My First Speech” competition for high school students across Australia. Students from across the Cowper electorate are encouraged to take part in this unique opportunity to learn more about Parliament and public speaking. “The My First Speech competition challenges students […]

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Applications now open for Hastings Education Fund grants Daniel Hutchinson with his father Glen at the University of Newcastle.
Community, School

Applications now open for Hastings Education Fund grants

APPLICATIONS for a Hastings Education Fund (HEF) grant close on 30 September. The fund was established to provide financial assistance to support local young people achieve their post-school education, training and vocation aspirations. A recent recipient of funding is Daniel Hutchinson, who completed his schooling at Hastings Secondary College’s Westport Campus in 2024. He is […]

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Residents of Lighthouse Beach fear construction of public preschool will cause traffic chaos Tacking Point Public School in Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. Photo: Rikki Waller.
Community, School

Residents of Lighthouse Beach fear construction of public preschool will cause traffic chaos

Tacking Point Public School in Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. Photo: Rikki Waller. Tacking Point Public School in Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie. Photo: Rikki Waller. ON any given school day, Bangalay Drive in Lighthouse Beach Port Macquarie is bumper-to-bumper during student drop-off and pick-up times. The NSW Department of Infrastructure is now adding to the frustrations […]

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